THE House of Representatives urges the Ministry of Aviation to liaise with the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Accident Investigative Bureau and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to enforce all safety standards as prescribed in the aviation industry guidelines to prevent air crashes.

The lower chamber of the National Assembly made the call at the plenary on Tuesday following the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by a member, Mr Chris Azubogu, representing Nnewi-South/Nnewi-North Federal Constituency of Anambra State.

Also, the lawmaker urged the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria to ensure that all aircraft in Nigeria were adequately maintained and certified airworthy before commencing operation, in order to prevent further ordeals.

They added that the NIMET and FAAN should prevail on aircraft owners to keep strict adherence with the rules of weather condition while flying, while mandating the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, when it is constituted, to ensure compliance.

Moving the motion, Azubogu recalled the recent near mishap involving a Boeing 737-500 belonging to Air Peace on June 22, 2019, while about to land.

The lawmaker further recalled that the Air Peace Flight No P47291, which had about 94 passengers on board, was said to have taken off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State. He added that the aircraft, on landing overshot the runway.

According to him, the incident was caused by the flood on the airport’s runway due to a downpour earlier in the day.

Azubogu also cited that case of an Air Peace aircraft, from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, which attempted landing twice but recorded no success due to poor weather condition.

The lawmaker said, “The House is worried that poor weather condition has been the reason for most of these crashes, even the mishaps at recent times. Over the years, air travel has become an easier means of transportation not only to the people of Nigeria but to people of the world at large.

“As a nation, the Federal Government has the obligation at every point to make the aviation industry work better for the citizenry. – Punch

– July 2, 2019 @ 16:45 GMT |